Hello.
As mentioned before, I am a novice and would be very grateful if you will help me to get the basics right. As I read various books on U boats, I see reference to the periscope used. I am not sure if I understand this correctly. First of all, I presume that a periscope is a visual system that can rise above the conning tower when needed, and can be retracted when not needed. I wonder how high above the conning tower can a scope go (e.g. in a type VII and IX)? Does this elevation / retraction happen with the help of hydraulics or electric motors ? When the sub bobs up and down, does the periscope automatically stabilize ....i.e. keep adjusting its height ? Also, going by what i see in films, is the periscope a torpedo aiming site ... and is it directly linked to the torpedo fire control system ? Many thanks.Pras